BRITISH Transport Police has taken delivery of three fast response motorcycles to help battle rail crime that costs the industry £150 million a year.

The bikes will be used on railway property and will enable officers to respond to urgent calls, access difficult-to- reach areas and protect rail lines from trespassers.

Margaret Barker, crime risk manager at Network Rail, said: 'By launching these new motorcycle patrols with the British Transport Police, we will be able to respond more quickly to incidents and crack down on rail crime.'